Bourbon, Boobs, and Beads: Mardi Gras Weekend

New Orleans is a place that tells as much about America as New York City. Every American should go once, at least. Either you love it or you hate it. If you are on Bourbon St. or uptown, you will easily see past the 3rd-world crime, poverty, and disease rates.

You are stuck in the past. You are in an un-tame version of an American city. The feeling is a European-Cajun flair that makes for plenty of un-inhibited people and insane partying.

If you choose to go party this weekend, here are 10 places you need to visit:

1) Pat O’Briens – This is where you have to go to get the original Hurricane & hang out in the courtyard. This might be a little overrated, but no first timer to New Orleans should skip this.

2) Lafitte’s Blacksmith Bar – Oldest bar in New Orleans, and possibly the oldest building in the between California and the Mississippi.

3) Tipitina’s – Best, funkiest music venue around.

4) Napoleon House – Built to house Napoleon after his escape from Europe, he never made it. But you can go grab some booze in his memory.

5) Larry Flynt’s Hustler Club – Hottest and easiest girls on Bourbon St. If you’ve ever been tempted to take a stripper home, this place will make you do it.

6) The Boot – This favorite college hangout is open all night. Dark and cozy, this is a good place to get a feel for college life in New Orleans, or its counter-part F&M.

7) Preservation Hall – Music venue that will awaken the soul and make your New Orleans trip seem complete.
Tricou House – A quality Bourbon St. Bar and a great place to crank up your night with some dancing.

9) Tropical Isle – Fruity drinks and middle-aged boobs are both plentiful here.

10) Bangkok Spa – Can’t remember how to get there, but ask for a happy ending!

*I did not include any restaurants, because adding them to the list would make it impossible. Savor every meal though, because food in New Orleans is taken as seriously as their Hurricanes!